Roll type copying paper supply device

ABSTRACT

A device for selectively drawing out the copying paper from different rolls of copying paper of A series and B series sizes and feeding the selected paper to the exposing section of a copying apparatus, the desired one of copying paper of different sizes being automatically fed even when their loaded positions are reversed.

United States Patent 1 [11] 3,850,356

Abe et a1. Nov. 26, 1974 [5 ROLL TYPE COPYING PAPER SUPPLY 3,503,677 3/1970 Uchiyama 354/210 x ICE 3,550,829 12/1970 Miyauchi 226/110 3,639,055 2/1972 Schleifenbaum..,. 355/29 Inventors: Yoshiharu Kenzo both of 3,684,373 8/1972 Berge et a1 355/29 x Tokyo, Japan Assigneer py Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King [22] Filed; Dec. 26, 1973 Assistant Examiner-Randolph A. Reese Attorney, Agent, or Frrm-Cushman, Darby & [21] App]. No.: 428,035 Cushman [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 29, 1972 Japan 47-1543 [57] ABSTRACT A device for selectively drawing out the copying paper [52] :].S. Cl 226/110, 226/181, 242/58 from different rolls of copying paper of A series and B [51] [11. Cl B6511 17/42 series Sizes and i g the Selected p p to the [58] Field of Search 226/108 109, 1 10, 24, posing section of a Copying apparatus, the desired one 226/181 206/45 242/58 355/3 354/210 159 of copying paper of different sizes being automaticaily fed even when their loaded positions are reversed. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 3.160.047 12/1964 Malloy et al 226/108 X ROLL TYPE COPYING PAPER SUPPLY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a roll type copying paper supply device for a copying apparatus and particularly to a device capable of selectively using rolls of copying paper of different sizes.

With a copying machine in general, a roll of copying paper is preliminarily loaded within the copying machine body and the copying paper is drawn out, as necessary, from this roll. For example, where it is desired to copy an original of A size after copying an original of B size, it is necessary to exchange a loaded roll of copying paper of size of series B for a new roll of size of series A and a cumbersome operation results for each exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide a device capable of supplying a copying paper of predetermined size so that it can be copied without replacing one roll of copying paper with another roll of copying paper according to the originals of different sizes.

With the device according to this invention, a plurality of rolls of copying paper of different sizes are previously loaded and when the user operates asize selecting member, then a copying paper of desired size is automatically supplied. Even when the positions in which rolls of copying paper of different sizes are to be loaded are interchanged, it is still possible to automatically supply a copying paper from a roll of copying paper of desired size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a roll type copying paper supply device according to an embodiment of this invention; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 show electrical control circuits, respectively. of the device of FIG. 1, indicating different operative conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1 other. The curl of the copying paper 3 unwounded from the roll R is straightened out at a straightening roll 4 provided in the vicinity of the first shaft 1 and adapted to uncurl the copying paper. The straightened copying paper 3 is fed through a first driving roll 5 to a second driving roll 6. Likewise, the curl of the copying paper 7 unwound from the roll R is straightened out at a straightening roll 8 and fed through a third driving roll 9 to the second driving roll 6. Any one of the copying papers 3 and 7 may be selectively supplied to the second driving roll 6 by a control circuit to be later described. In this case, the advancement of the other copying paper may be restricted so that it presents no bar to the advancement of the so selected copying paper. The copying paper passed through the driving roll 6 is further fed to a fourth driving roll 10. Between the driving rolls 6 and 10 a cutter 11 is provided to cut the elongated copying paper to a predetermined length. Explanation as to the operation and control of the cutter 11 is omitted, since atechnique well known in this field is adopted. The copying paper so cut to a predetermined length is passed through a charging mechanism and exposure mechanism to a developing mechanism and copying is so completed.

Near the shaft 1 there is provided a width detection device 12 for detecting the width of the copying paper carried by shaft 1. With this embodiment the width detection device is composed of a microswitch and provided outside of the roll R The detection device is adapted to generate an electrical signal when the copying paper is of the size of B series and generate no signal when the copying paper is of the size of A series.

In FIG. 1 reference numerals l3, l4, l5 and 16 indicate driven rolls pressed towards the driving rolls 5, 6, 9 and 10, respectively, and adapted to pinch the copying paper therebetween so as to feed or draw it out.

A copying paper supply mechanism A includes the driving rolls 5, 6 and 9 and the cutter 11.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 reference numerals l7 and 18 show electromagnetic clutches by means of which the driving rolls 5, 6 and 9 are operatively controlled. The driving roll 10 is directly coupled to a motor (not shown) and adapted to be rotated normally in a direction indicated by an arrow. When the clutch 17 is operated, than the driving rolls 6 and 9 are rotated in FIG. 1 in a clockwise direction to cause the copying paper to be fed. Energization of the other clutch 18 causes the first and second rolls 5 and 6 to be rotated in a clockwise direction to permit the copying paper to be supplied. One end of the clutch 17 is connected to one end of a DC power source 21 through a normally closed, fixed contact 19b and movable contact 19a of a change-over switch 19, normally open fixed contact and movable switch 120 of the width detection device or microswitch l2, and a print switch 20.

One end ofthe clutch 18 is connected to said one end of the power source 21 through a normally closed, fixed contact 22b and a movable contact 22a of a change-over switch 22, a normally closed contact 12b and movable contact 12a of the copying paper width detecting device 12, and the print switch 20. The other ends of the clutches 17 and 18 are connected to the other end of the electric power source 21. The clutch 17 is also connected to the fixed contact or normally open contact 220 of the switch 22 and the clutch 18 is also connected to the fixed contact ornormally open contact 19c of the switch 19. The change-over switches 19 and 22 are connected together to permit a simultaneous change-over and constitute a copying paper selecting device B. v

Explanation now will be made of the operation of the copying paper selecting device B.

In FIG. 1 the roll of the copying paper of the size of series A is loaded on the first shaft 1 and the roll of the copying paper of the size of series B is loaded on the second shaft 2. When the copying paper width-detecting means 12 detects the copying paper of the size of series A, the normally closed contact 12b remains closed. When the width detecting means 12 detects the copying paper of the size of series B, the normally open contact 120 is closed. Where the copying paper of the size of series A is used for copying, the user operates the copying paper selecting device B on the side of A- series to cause the change-over switches 19 and 22 to be thrown to the right as shown in FIG. 2. Closure of the print switch 20 creates a closed circuit including the clutch 18 and power source 21 and the clutch 18 is energized by the power source 21. As a result, the first and second driving rolls 5 and 6 are operatively connected to the motor (not shown) to cause these rolls 5 and 6 to be rotated in FIG. 1 in a clockwise direction. The copying paper of the size of series A is fed through the driving rolls 5 and 6 and cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 11. Then, the copying paper is sequentially fed to the driving roll 10 and then from the charging means through the exposure means to the developing means as in the case of the conventional copying machine and a proper treatment is so effected.

Where it is desired to use the copying paper of the size of series B, the copying paper selecting means B is moved in PK). 2 to the left to cause the movable contact 19a and movable contact 22a to be brought into contact with the normally open contact 19c and normally open contact 22c, respectively. Closure of the print switch establishes a closed circuit including the power source 21, print switch 20, movable switch 12a and normally closed contact 12b of the width detecting device 12, movable contact 22a and fixed contact 22c of the change-over switch 22, and clutch 17. Thus, the clutch 17 is magnetically excited. This causes the motor (not shown) to be operatively associated with the driving rolls 6 and 9 to permit them to be rotated in a clockwise direction. In the same way as mentioned in connection with the copying paper of the size of series A, the copying paper of the size of series B is cut to a predetermined length and fed to the charging means and then to the exposure means.

Suppose that the roll of the copying paper R;, of the size of series B is loaded on the first shaft 1 and that the roll of the copying paper R of the size of series A is loaded on the second shaft 2.

The copying paper width detecting device 12 detects the copying paper of the size of series B to generate an electrical signal, causing the normally open contact 120 to be closed as shown in FIG. 3. In this state, where it is desired to use the copying paper of the size of series A, the copying paper selecting device is thrown to the right as shown in FIG. 3 in the same way as in the former case. Then it is only necessary that the print switch 20 be closed. Closure of the print switch 20 establishes a closed circuit including the power source 21, print switch 20, movable contact 12a and fixed contact 120 of the width detecting device 12, movable contact 19a and fixed contact 19b of the change-over switch 19, and clutch 17. As a result, the clutch 17 is magnetically excited to cause the driving rolls 6 and 9 to be rotated in a clockwise direction, thereby supplying the copying paper of the size of series A. Where it is desired to use the copying paper of the size of series B, the copying paper selecting device is thrown to the left to cause the movable contacts 19a and 22a to be brought into contact with the fixed contacts 190 and 22c. Closure of the print switch 20 causes the clutch 18 to be magnetically excited, thereby supplying the copy of the size of series B.

With the above-mentioned roll type copying paper supply device, the copying paper width detecting device and copying paper selecting device are cooperated with respect to each other and even when the positions in which rolls of copying paper having different widths are to be loaded are interchanged, it is still possible to operate the copying paper selecting device in quite the same way as in the normal case. Therefore it is not necessary to effect the interchange of rolls of copying paper of different widths each time they are used. Even when the positions in which rolls of copying paper are to be loaded are reversed, no inconvenience results. Thus, the copying paper supply device is very easy in operation.

What we claim is:

1. A roll type copying paper supply device comprising at least two loading members on which rolls of copying paper of different width are respectively loaded, feeding members each disposed corresponding to the rolls of copying paper to feed the paper from the rolls, means for selecting one of the rolls of copying paper, detecting means for detecting the width of the copying paper, and circuit means to operate selected one of the feeding members to feed the corresponding copying paper from the roll of copying paper in response to the selecting means and detecting means, whereby the selected one of copying paper is fed independent of positions in which the rolls of copying paper are loaded on the loading members.

2. A roll type copying paper supply device compris ing a first supporting member supporting one of rolls of copying paper of A-series and B-series types, a second supporting member supporting the other of said rolls of copying paper, a first drawing member drawing out the copying paper supported on the first supporting member, a second drawing member drawing out the copying paper supported on the second supporting member, detecting means for detecting the roll of copying paper supported on the first shaft whether said copying paper has A- series size or B-series size, and an electric circuit, the circuit including a power source, a first clutch to drive the first drawing member when electrically connected to the power source, a second clutch to drive the second drawing member when electrically connected to the power source, a changeover switch selectively connecting the power source to the first and second clutches, a selecting switch to select one of the rolls of copying paper and means for connecting the selecting switch to the changeover switch so that copying paper of A-series size is fed when the selecting switch selects one and copying paper of B-series size is fed when the selecting switch selects one, which is accomplished independent of the supporting positionsof the rolls of copying paper.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the first and second drawing members respectively include a plurality of paired pinch rolls.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the detecting means includes a microswitch to detect the width of the roll of copying paper supported on the first supporting member. 

1. A roll Type copying paper supply device comprising at least two loading members on which rolls of copying paper of different width are respectively loaded, feeding members each disposed corresponding to the rolls of copying paper to feed the paper from the rolls, means for selecting one of the rolls of copying paper, detecting means for detecting the width of the copying paper, and circuit means to operate selected one of the feeding members to feed the corresponding copying paper from the roll of copying paper in response to the selecting means and detecting means, whereby the selected one of copying paper is fed independent of positions in which the rolls of copying paper are loaded on the loading members.
 2. A roll type copying paper supply device comprising a first supporting member supporting one of rolls of copying paper of A-series and B-series types, a second supporting member supporting the other of said rolls of copying paper, a first drawing member drawing out the copying paper supported on the first supporting member, a second drawing member drawing out the copying paper supported on the second supporting member, detecting means for detecting the roll of copying paper supported on the first shaft whether said copying paper has A- series size or B-series size, and an electric circuit, the circuit including a power source, a first clutch to drive the first drawing member when electrically connected to the power source, a second clutch to drive the second drawing member when electrically connected to the power source, a changeover switch selectively connecting the power source to the first and second clutches, a selecting switch to select one of the rolls of copying paper and means for connecting the selecting switch to the changeover switch so that copying paper of A-series size is fed when the selecting switch selects one and copying paper of B-series size is fed when the selecting switch selects one, which is accomplished independent of the supporting positions of the rolls of copying paper.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the first and second drawing members respectively include a plurality of paired pinch rolls.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the detecting means includes a microswitch to detect the width of the roll of copying paper supported on the first supporting member. 